The Importance of Being Baptized

LESSON EIGHT – BAPTISM

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:26-28

1. The PURPOSE of Baptism

A. Baptism is into CHRIST, or into His NAME

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? – Romans 6:3

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. – Galatians 3:27

B. Baptism into Christ's BODY (the Church)

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. – 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

C. What Baptism SYMBOLIZES

1) Baptism is a picture of CHRIST’S Death, Burial, and Resurrection.

2) Baptism is a picture of a BELIEVER'S Death, Burial and Resurrection.

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. – Romans 6:3-5

3) Baptism is a picture of WASHING/FORGIVENESS/HOLY SPIRIT

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 3:21

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.' – Acts 22:16

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. – John 3:5 (NOTE: This is possibly referring to baptism).

2. The ACTION of Baptism

A. The Scripture clearly indicates water consistent with IMMERSION.

Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. – John 3:23

And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. – Acts 8:38

having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. – Colossians 2:12

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. – Romans 6:4

B. As seen directly above, baptism is pictured as a BURIAL and RESURRECTION.

C. The very word Baptism (Greek = baptizo) according to ALL Greek Lexicons means DIP, IMMERSE, or PLUNGE.

D. The Greek words rantizo (= sprinkle) and ekcheo (= pour) are never used of water baptism.

E. Baptize is a Greek word. The Greeks have always understood it to mean immersed and to this day Greek Churches immerse.

3. The REQUIREMENTS for Baptism.

A. TEACHING must precede baptism.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." – Matthew 28:19-20

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? – Romans 10:14

B. FAITH and REPENTANCE are the conditions upon which baptism is performed.

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized"… - Acts 2:38

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. – Acts 2:41

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. – Acts 8:12

Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. – Acts 18:8

Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. – Acts 19:4-5

4. WHY Should We Be Baptized?

A. To follow the EXAMPLE set by Christ. (Note: Jesus walked approximately 60 miles to be baptized!)

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. – Mark 1:9

Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. – Matthew 3:15

B. Because Christ COMMANDS it.

C. It DEMONSTRATES that I really am a BELIEVER

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. – Acts 2:41

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. – Acts 8:12

…Many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. – Acts 18:8b